The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-01-01
Christmas at the Churches.
ST. pAUI's REroRMED CHURCH,


The usual services commemorated the
Festival of the Nativity at this Church on
| Christmas day. The large lecture room was
handsomely decorated with evergreens and
appropriate lettering. A new Altar, Pulpit
and Lectern had been added TO the chancel
during the week previous, and these, together
with the tastefully arranged Towering plants
on the altar, contributed much to the APP
pearance of the room. At six o'clock IN the
morning the early service was held An I'M
usually large number of worshippers was
present, considering the earliness OF the
hour. The choir Of the congregation was
strengthened by excellent bass and tenor
voices from a sister congregation, and the
music rendered was flatteringly spoken of by
all who heard it. Mr.. Peter Liedlich accom-
panied the organ with the new cornet that has
recently been purchased by the congregation.
The sermon on the occasion. preached by the
Pastor, was based upon st. Luke ,; Is.
The Sunday School service was held at
night, it brought out a far larger number of
people than the church was capable Of receiv-
ing. The service consisted Of hymns and
carols, festival prayers and responsive read
ings, short address, and the distribution OF
gifts. The music was under the efficient
leadership of Prof Spurrier. Two large
Christmas trees, abundantly laden with
presents for the scholars of the school, occu-
pied the sides of the room in front. During
the service they were lighted by numerous
wax tapers, and presented sight which de-
lighted the eyes of the elder portion almost
as much as the younger portion of the con-
gregation present. At the close of the service
the gifts from the trees were distributed to the
school, and many other presents exchanged
between the teachers and scholars of the re-
spec:ive classes. Through Mr.. Buckingham,
| e. IL, hoo tod he
pastor a handsome and valuable wolf-skin
robe. Close attention was given to the
services which extended through nearly two
hours and the interest of the crowded cougre-
CATION thus manifested. The exercises were
concluded with the Doxology and Benedic-
ton.
AT ST. JOHNS CATHOLIC CHURCH.
At st. Johns Catholic Church there was a
High Mass at O'Clock in the morning, fol-
lowed Immediately by low Mass. At ten
o'clock there was another High Mass, and al
4 O. clock in the evening Vespers and Bene-
diction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. All
the services were well attended. At the
o'clock Mass the church was crowded The
altar and sanctuary were beautifully and
tastefuly decorated with evergreens which
the 200 lighted wax tapers set off with bril-
liant effect. A collection was taken up during
the different services for St. Mary S Seminary
and quite handsome amount of money was
realized. The choir deserve great credit for
the manner in which they rendered that
beautiful and difficult Mass Farmers in B
Flat" The hymns appropriate to the occa-
sion, s'Adeste Fideles,' ''Sit Nomen Domiui
Benedictum,' and Dr. Dielman's ''Glory to
Cod were also impressively rendered. The
hymns 80 Salutaris'' and ''Tantum Ergo,
sung at Benediction at 4 O'Clock, deserve
special mention. Solos for each part alter
mated with choruses, and the finale of each
hymn being grand chorus with full organ.
The tenor was ably assisted by Prof c. II.
Spurrier.
AT ASCENSION p. E. CHURCH.
This beautiful little church was handsome
ly trimmed and decorated and the services
were more beautiful and impressive than
usual At midnight there was a celebration
(choral) of the Holy Communion. The
solemn hour of midnight; devout worship
pers; the impressive voice Of the rector; the
sacrament; the appropriate music by the
choir; the lights upon the altar, the f0Ters
and evergreens all combined to make the
services grand and impressive.
The other services we're: second celebra-
ton of Holy Communion, (plain) I a. m. !;
third celebration of Holy Communion, choral,
with sermon) 1870 a. M; Evening Prayer,
(plain) p. IN. The attendance was not
very large at any of the services, yet during
the day more members communed than upon
any other Christmas day.
The choir was strengthened for the occa-
sion by Miss Florence Herring, solo soprano,
and Mr.. Thomas Murray, bass. The music
rendered was-Processional, "Adeste Fidel
es.n T.Noceli; introit, s'Shout the Glad
Tidings," W. G. Williams; Monks Commu-
Mon Service in C;~sf =rtory, "And There
Were Shepherds" pess>Sentence, ''If
we say We Have No Siu,'' ". c:-+ITril4l,ian,s !;
Communion Hymn, BREAD of the World,S
Hodges; Nunc Dimitds, Gregorian; recess
sional, ''Hark the Herald Angels Sing
The Christmas Festival of the Sunday
School was held in the Chapel on Holy limo
cents Day, Tuesday, Dec. 28th, at Z p. m.
4 an address by the rector, Rev. 5, 3. fond;
and distribution of gifts to the children.
On Christmas night special service was
held in the Chapel for the colored members
of the congregation.
AT THE NJ. p. CHURCH.
At the Methodist Protestant Church on
Sunday night there was service of scripture
and song for Christmas time, by the Sunday
school and choir. Notwithstanding the side
walks were covered with newly-faIen snow,
the large edifce was filled. All who attend
ed were amply repaid, for the services were
very enjoyable. DR.. Charles Billingslea led
the scripture readings; Prof c. H. Spurrier
the music; Miss Annie Shriver presided at
the organ, and Mr.. Charles Kepler led the
choruses on the cornet lnterspersed in the
program were several recitations by children
of the school. Rev. j. T. Murray, D. D.,
pastor of the church, made short address to
the children. After a grand chorus by the
choir, school and congregation, Rev. j. L.
Ward, d. D., pronounced the benediction
and the services closed. The music on the
occasion was of high order and excellently
sung.
AT CENTENARY NJ. q. CHURCH.
No special Christmas services were held at
this church, but or Wednesday night last the
annual Christmas treat was given the Sunday
school children. The exercises were opened
by singing by the school and prayer by Rev.
C. A. Reid Then followed recitation by
Miss Berthe Buckingham, subject ''Santa
Claus The pastor, Rev. George w.
Heyde, made an address to the children, and
this was followed by singing. While the
school was engaged in singing the approach
of Santa Claus was made known by the ringing
of bell, when the school suddenly stopped
singing and in few moments Santa Claus
made his appearance, ladened with boxes of
candies and fruit for each scholar, and few
for.ismall children in the audience. Santa Claus
was MISREPRESENTATION of the little old
man, clad in his snow sprinkled robes and
acted his part WE'LL pleasing the children and
audience veyy much. After he had distribu-
ted his giftS and made all happy, the school
gave him = unanimous vote of thanks for his
visit and 4reat, and invited him to come again
next year. After an hour of real pleasure
and enjoyment by all present, the exercises
closed with singing by the school and the
benedicton.
STACKS CORNER ITEMS.
Resisting an officer Christmas Entertainments.